Changing the story through education, support, and advocacy.
2026 Path Forward Luncheon
Join THEI as we host the Fourth Annual Path Forward Luncheon: Shifting the Narrative of Justice-Impacted Individuals.
The Path Forward Luncheon is an opportunity for you to hear from students, graduates, and our team about the transformative and liberative power of our programming and to financially support our impactful work.
What We Do
The Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) disrupts systems of harm and creates opportunities for autonomy and success through education, support, and advocacy with and for justice-impacted individuals.
Education Programs
&
Pre-Entry
Education Programs & Pre-Entry
Since 2012, THEI has coordinated degree-granting college programs inside Tennessee prisons, through partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Corrections and Tennessee Colleges and Universities. Members of the THEI Education Programs (EP) team work “on the ground” with students and instructors to ensure high-quality educational programming.
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Student Voice
Student Voice
In 2025, THEI formally launched the Student Voice portfolio of work, whose goal is to advance THEI’s mission by empowering directly impacted students and alumni to actively participate in shaping their educational experience.This portfolio fosters a community where directly impacted voices truly lead the field of higher education.
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Transitional
Programs
Transitional Programs
The Transitional Programs portfolio disrupts systems of harm and creates opportunities for autonomy and success through providing non-academic support services for students, both pre- and post-release. This support addresses housing, employment, family reunification, mental health, and other critical needs.
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TPCC
In 2019, the Tennessee Prison College Coalition (TPCC) was launched for strategic and timely collaboration across state agencies, colleges and universities, and service providers to increase access and support for justice-impacted students pursuing higher education in and after prison, with an emphasis on ensuring program quality and equity.
Navigating Forward
The Navigating Forward guide outlines, through written narrative and a detailed user-friendly directory, a collection of clear, digestible, and comprehensive college navigation materials designed specifically for incarcerated learners, with special consideration for the unique challenges and needs of Prison Education Program (PEP) students.
2025 Report
We’re proud to share THEI’s 2025 Impact Report, highlighting our work across Educational and Transitional Programs, and the impact of our Policies & Practices. This report features powerful stories from our students and alumni, along with key financial figures and insights into our strategic priorities for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Dive into the full report to see how higher education in prison is transforming lives and driving change.
Latest News
Stay informed about all of our events, highlights, and achievements.
Celebrating the P.A.T.H: THEI’s Third Annual Path Forward Luncheon
On Monday, April 28th, 2025—at the close of Second Chance Month—Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI)…
THEI Publishes Navigating Forward: Your Guide to Higher Education in Prison
THEI has created Navigating Forward, a collection of clear, digestible, and comprehensive college navigation materials…
Cross-Agency Collaboration for Quality Correctional Education: How the Tennessee Prison College Coalition Is Expanding Postsecondary Opportunities for Justice-Impacted Students
The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) published a case study in March 2025…
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